In times of such economic gloom, it is up to the world’s finest minds to come up with groundbreaking, bold solutions that may get us out of this predicament.

Fear not. The clever economics students in Lehigh University, Pennsyvania, US have answered the burning question that is on everyone’s lips: “How much would it cost to build the Death Star?”.

We won’t reveal the answer but let’s put it this way: the Imperial Empire obviously wasn’t interested in cost cutting measures.

What is it with our fascination with chilli? Chilli is literally ‘so hot right now’ - and all over the news. “World’s hottest chilli leaves two in hospital” bleated the Telegraph last year. The ‘Infinity Chilli’, grown in Lincolnshire is reportedly even hotter than chilli used in hand grenades by the Indian military. (Did you even know hand grenades used chilli?). Oh wait - actually Gerald Fowler’s Naga Viper chilli is even hotter. “Hot enough to strip paint” boasts Fowler.

We’re really loving illustrator Dan Hipp’s (AKA Mister Hipp) work who “maintains his zombie survival training by watching monster movies and coaching Water Polo in Southern California”. This Mario Kart / Drive combo is awesome.

Wow. OMG. We’re all looking OUT OF OUR WINDOW….Is that Kanye West? Is that Jay Z? Is that Beyonce? Wooooo!! The kings of hop hop are apparently in Shoreditch RIGHT NOW. There are tonnes of hipsters mooching about so this must be true. This is why we love Shoreditch. [Via Londonist].

The Firebox team was at the annual Spring Fair in Birmingham this week searching for 2012’s most unique gifts. We bumped into our friend, author and genius product designer Sheridan Simove, aka Shed.

Shed has designed numerous fantastic Firebox products, including the hilarious ‘Sound Machine’ and the book, ‘What Every Man Thinks About Apart from Sex’ which contains 200 completely blank pages. So we thought we’d get a little more insight into what makes this guy tick. Ready Shed?

This week, we have launched our latest personalised product, the Instagram Poster. For those that haven’t heard of it, Instagram is an amazing way for iPhone users to take and share photos.

It’s so awesome we’ve decided to run an Instagram ‘winter’ competition. It’s brass monkies out there, but this can sometimes make the most beautiful photo. So, we want you to submit your best ‘winter’ photos via Instagram and be in with a chance of winning a £100 Firebox gift voucher.

“You Sir, are a complete legend and I bow to your awesomeness *bow bow bow*”

Kelly Bradford - Feb ‘12